The Locker Room Blog

Why Does Traditional Golf Instruction Fail to Achieve Results for Many Recreational Golfers?

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

There’s no shortage of ways traditional golf instruction seeks to fix swings from YouTube videos to websites to lessons. So, why is it that when I talk to recreational golfers, so many are searching for answers to fix their games? Even with all the instruction that’s available.

 One ...

Power Requires Movement Options

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

In sports and life, joints need movement options to produce force and avoid injury. Without options, the neuromuscular system can’t effectively produce force.

 That’s because limits in range of motion often require joints and soft tissue:

• to work at end ranges to perform specific movements
• defer to compensating movement patterns to make up
...

The Golf Swing is Like a 100-Meter Sprint

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

 A golfer should generate power like a world class sprinter reaches top speed in a 100-meter race. That means using less muscular effort and more reflexive action to increase power to reach top club head speed.

Here’s what I mean.

 A sprinter uses a large amount of muscular effort to explode out of the blocks.

 The first few steps...

Why are Famous Athletes Promoting Highly Processed Foods?

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

 If you’ve been watching sports, you may have noticed high profile athletes in commercials advertising highly processed foods such as chips and children’s cereals.

 While this is nothing new, I was disappointed to see that at a time when chronic diseases are on the rise among  Americans, athletes who could be influenc...

Slip-on Golf Shoes

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

 Comfortable golf shoes are so important, especially if you walk the course.

And there certainly has been innovation in shoe comfort and performance over the years. But this latest innovation I just don’t get.

Recently I’ve been seeing ads for slip-on golf shoes.

What are the reasons a golfer would need slip-on shoes?

The first and most obvious reason i...

Increase Your Daily Non-Exercise Activity to Boost Performance

By James Fanara, CSCS

 So, you took another lesson, bought the latest driver model and changed ball brands. But not much has changed.

 Maybe you made some improvements, but your game is essentially the same. And you still find it difficult to make the adjustments that are supposed to fix your swing.

 If that’s you, the performance ...

Improving Stability Often Requires Improving Mobility

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

 To generate power in the golf swing or any sports movement, joint stability is essential.

 Injuries are one way that joints become unstable.

 For example, multiple shoulder separations can stretch connective tissue, reducing the force needed to separate the joint again.

 However, injuries are not the only cause of join...

Golf’s Other “X” Factor, That Instructors Overlook

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

The "X" factor in golf is the amount of hip and shoulder separation you can achieve in your swing.

There is another "X" factor that is important but rarely discussed in golf lessons or videos.

It was originally known as syndrome "X", now referred to as metabolic syndrome.

 Even though metabolic syndrome rarely mentioned by...

Want to Improve Driving Distance, Increase Your Backswing

By Jim Fanara. CSCS

 Most golf instructors would say that one way to improve driving distance is to get more backswing rotation.  No one drives 345 yards with half a backswing.  The clubhead needs distance to impact to build up speed. The farther the clubhead is from impact the more time there is to develop speed.

 Poor Everyday Posture ...

Want Increased Driving Distance, Then Understand F-18’s and Aircraft Carriers.

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

 The club head is the only surface that can put built up energy directly into the golf ball.  The higher the club head velocity at impact, the more energy is transferred to the ball.  If swing fundamentals keep the club path and club head heading in the right orientation, higher velocity will resul...

Number One Reason Why “Casting” Produces Inconsistent Ball Contact

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

 Do you remember playing with the “Little Red Radio Flyer Wagon”?  Casting is like trying to run fast and push the wagon in front of you using only the handle.

 Long drives and low scores require consistent ball contact.  If you’re “casting” it’s hard to consistently find the sweet spot on the driver and iron...